Close Combat Summoner: The Way Of The Unrivaled

"Thank you for worrying but I will be fine. I'll be back after a while. Goodbye."(Argus)

Sebastian and the two guards saw Argus entered the portal. And he was gone just like that.

"Cough... Sir Sebastian, forgive me for asking but who is that person that makes you respectful. Is he a relative of Lady Alicia perhaps?"(Guard 1)

"Maybe he was a friend of Lady Alicia. However he is to brave to enter a newly discovered dungeon alone. Sigh... Maybe a talented Awakaner's Realm Advancement Quest."(Guard 2)

The two guards was curious so they ask Sebastian. He answered them since there is nothing to do here but to wait. He is also not as grumpy like any other oldman.

"That young man is Argus Orpheus, he is young master Rex's friend and blood brother. He is also Lady Alicia's fiance so treat him with respect. You know how scary lady Alicia is when she was angered right?"(Sebastian)

""Wh-what?!""

The two guard's mouth widens when they learned the identity of the young man. They have not been informed that such a person is coming and they became nervous. Sebastian just laughed on the side as he looks at the Dungeon Portal. He did not hide that fact since sooner or later they will learn this information.

'How long would it take him clear to this dungeon?'(Sebastian)

***

{Argus's POV}

Argus entered the undead type dungeon. This was his first time entering one and as he enter the portal it felt like he was using the teleportation array. He was transported to a cave like place.

The F Rank Undead Dungeon is a chilling, oppressive environment where darkness and decay permeate every corner. As Argus enters the first floor, he felt the air is cold and damp, filled with the musty scent of rot and earth. A faint, eerie glow emanates from bioluminescent fungi clinging to the cavern walls, casting unsettling shadows.

The dungeon's floor is uneven, with jagged rocks and treacherous pits scattered throughout. Narrow, winding tunnels branch off in multiple directions, each one echoing with distant, unsettling noises.

Argus summoned Astrea as there is no other people here other than him.

"Are we in a dungeon Master? It so filthy here, I do not like the smell."(Astrea)

Astrea covered her nose while observing the place. She has higher sense of smell since she is a wolf.

"Yes, we are in an undead dungeon. The smell is really bad but we need to get use to this since there are more disgusting place than here."(Argus)

Astrea take note of what her Master said. In the future they may go to a place or experience something more dangerous and more filthy than here. Argus and Astrea has no problem seeing in this darkness.

The sound of bone cracking can be heard from time to time.

'Skeleton Undead, huh.'(Argus)

The sound of bones clicking and scraping suddenly can be heard.

"It looks like they are here. Do not attack them yet Astrea."(Argus)

"Yes"(Astrea)

Argus immediately saw a party of skeletons.

Name: Skeleton Swordsman

Category: Common

Level: 30

HP:100%/100%

MP:100%/100%

Skill:

«Blade Specialization»

«Bone Shield»

«Swift Stride»

Name: Skeleton Archer

Category: Common

Level: 30

HP:100%/100%

MP:100%/100%

Skill:

«Precicion Shot»

«Quick Draw»

«Volley»

Name: Skeleton Knight

Category: Common

Level: 30

HP:100%/100%

MP:100%/100%

Skill:

«Crashing Blow»

«War Cry»

«Iron Defense»

Name: Skeleton Mage

Category: Elite

Level: 30

HP:100%/100%

MP:100%/100%

Skill:

«Dark Bolt»

«Dark Cloak»

«Dark Barrier»

"Astrea I'm sorry but could you fight in your True Beast Form for our dungeon dive? You are not use in fighting after all and we need to be careful in this dungeons since both of us may die if we do not use our full power."(Argus)

Argus did not want to hurt Astrea's feelings so explain his reasons. Astrea of course knows what her Master was thinking. It's for their own safety.

"It's okay Master, there is so much time to use this form of mine after you break through."(Astrea)

"Thank you Astrea. I also have a plan in mind but that can wait after we clear my quest."(Argus)

Argus patted her one more time not even minding the group of skeletons coming. Not long after the Skeleton Archer started drawing its arrow. Argus and Astrea saw and both dodge at once. Astrea immediately transform into her True Beast Form after he landed.

The size of Astrea as tall as 3 meters was looking down on the Skeletons. Astrea use on of her skills.

Starborlt

10 purplish magic circle with 8 pointed star with a wolf head symbol was formed. 10 shiny bolts of Celestial Energy was suddenly emerge from each of the magic circle. Astrea then willed the Starborlts to hit the 4 skeletons.

The skeletons did not even dodge and all of them are hit. However, since it was her first time using a skill the control and power output of Astrea's Skill was mediocre.

***

There are 5 levels of Mastery in using Skills:

1. Initial Mastery

Newly acquired skill with basic proficiency, suitable for adapting to battle style.

2. Intermediate Mastery

Enhanced refinement, facilitating a more versatile and effective application in battle.

3. Advanced Mastery

Achieved precision and finesse that surpasses basic expectations, aligning perfectly with the awakener's battle style.

4. Perfected Mastery

Attainment of near-perfect execution, requiring minimal effort and seamlessly integrating into the awakener's preferred techniques.

5. Driven to the Heart

Fully integrated into the awakener's essence and battle style, transcending mere proficiency to become instinctual.

The level of the skill does matter but the mastery of skills is a different matter. Increasing the level of a skill enhances its raw power and effectiveness in combat. However, mastery of a skill goes beyond its level—it's about how deeply the awakener integrates the skill into their essence.

Even with a high skill level, without true mastery, the execution may lack finesse, precision, and instinctual integration. Mastery ensures that each action is not only powerful but also precise, reflecting a profound understanding and connection with the skill.

In combat, both Awakener executing a Level 10 Slash demonstrate exceptional mastery, but the one who has mastered "Driven to the Heart" surpasses mere technical proficiency. Their strikes are not just powerful but seamlessly integrated with their essence, enhancing precision and effectiveness.

In a battle between them, the Awakener with 'Driven to the Heart' mastery of Level 10 Slash would likely prevail, wielding deeper connection and superior effectiveness in each strike compared to their technically proficient counterpart.

***

Astrea was of course only at the First Level which is Initial Mastery. Of course every Awakener will start at Initial Mastery, the talent of everyone will vary depending on how fast and how they apply the use of their set of skills.

Astrea was a bit disappointed on what damage she cause. She wants to kill them in one attack but the skeletons are still clinging to life. Argus saw this and just laughed. Argus shorten the distance between him and the skeletons as he swings the Scythe to finish them.

"Do not worry, you are really strong to be honest. You will be a very great help for me now. I can probably clear this alone but it would take too much time that I might not finish all of the 10 dungeons."(Argus)

"Also, you can practice all you want in this dungeons and the other 9 dungeons. So do not be disappointed."(Argus)

"Really Master?! Thank you very much. Th-th-then can I start now?"(Astrea)

Argus knows that Astrea wants to fight alone. Although he also wants to fight, with his current stats compared to Astrea's stats has a big difference. He will just slow her down.

"Sigh... Yes, you can kill them all. Be careful Astrea and return if you discover something. Also do not attack the 5th floor without me got it?"(Argus)

"Thank you Master! I love you!"(Astrea)

Without even waiting for Argus reaction Astrea dash deeper in the dungeon. Argus just stared at the leaving back of Astrea and sighed.

"This was supposed to be how a summoner fight. Why would I became sad?"(Argus)

Argus then look at the place where the skeleton died. After he slash the Scythe and killed the skeletons. The bones of the skeleton disappears magically. The only thing remains are the broken armors, rusty weapons, and cores of the undead since they are humanoid. Only those beast type has an orb and those humanoid need to form core.

"It looks like I will became a porter for every dungeon that we will go, huh."(Argus)

Argus starts picking the cores and followed Astrea's track. He look at his System Prompts and he saw Exp was coming from time to time. He ignored it and observed the dungeon to look for treasure and resources.

"That is the only thing I can do for now. It would be a waste not to collect them when I really need money right now."(Argus)

Argus run all around the first floor to look for resources. However he did not find one other than dark crystals from time to time which he did not take since he do not have possessed a pickaxe to mine.

"Sigh, what do I expect from a F Rank Dungeon."(Argus)